A Democrat has all but officially won what’s considered one of the most important local races this election, as Republican Rob Poythress on Saturday conceded to Democrat Anna Caballero in the race for the Senate District 12 seat.

With an acknowledgment that there are still votes left to count — and implying most of those votes could likely favor his opponent and flip the red seat — Poythress took to Facebook to let his supporters know, “It’s evident Anna Caballero has won the election and I would like to congratulate her.”

Caballero issued a statement later Saturday, thanking her volunteers and supporters. “The outcome tells me the message and vision of our campaign was the right one for rural California and the district’s voters,” she said.

“I will work hard to make sure that the needs and interests of rural California on health care access, education, clean water and clean air, affordable housing, and agricultural production are taken seriously by the legislators and politicians in Sacramento, most of whom represent big cities.”